I have a 6 1/2 month old American Bulldog who seems to be a real sweetie. However, after reading a few stories lately of mauling incidents which seem to target children I have become a little unsure as to just how trusting I should be. She seems to love children (I have two of my own) and always makes a beeline for them, especially when we are out at the woods or the park. I am now feeling that I ought to keep her on a lead when walking........just in case!! I know I am probably being unnessecarily wary as she has shown no aggression towards anyone or anything so far. Would appreciate some comments from ABD owners to alleviate my worries :)
2006-09-25 10:21:30 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
You should always have your dogs on a lead when walking them, or have them at the park no matter what breed of dog you have.
With that said, ABD's make great family pets. It is all in how you raise them. As long as you keep her well socialized, never abuse her, and go through obedience training with her you will be fine. The stories of these maulings are greatly over exagerated.
Numbers don't lie, there are more than 5 million Bull Terriers in the US and only 12 fatal dog attacks every year. Only 2-4 of those attacks are presumed to be done by a Pit, or other bully breed. Many times, it turns out that it wasn't a bully breed at all. Most people cannot properly identify these breeds, therefore they only "claim" that the attack was done by a Pitbull, or other Bull. If they were as visicious as every one makes them out to be then the number of fatalities would be much, much higher.
http://pitbullsthetruth.tripod.com/
http://www.realpitbull.com/
http://bless-the-bullys.tripod.com/
The following sites are "games" to see if you can properly identify the Pitbull out of the of dogs shown.
http://www.pbrc.net/poppysplace/games/AdultFindabull/findpitbull_v4.html
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
http://members.aol.com/radogz/find.html
I realize your question was about the American Bulldog, but many people lump all the Bull Terrier breeds into one category. Plus, I have done more research on the Pitbull itself but the data is supportive of all Bull breeds.
2006-09-25 10:50:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Alot of those dogs that mauled children were dogs who were not properly socialized, most likely they were just kept alone in the backyard chained all of the time. That makes a dog very agressive because they become fearful. I have researched so called "bully breeds", such as American Bulldogs, Staffies, and American Pit Bull terriers before and they actually make great family dogs. They are actually bred to be good with people, their just not always the best kind of dog for a home with multiple dogs.
2006-09-25 10:41:00 · answer #2 · answered by dogluver8906 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My aunt and uncle have 2 pitbulls (used to be 3 but she died from liver disease) anyway, they have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. The dogs are wonderful with them. And when my sister was 1, the one who died was wonderful too. Kasey(2) Is climbing all over them all the time, she even sometime sleeps on them( we r with her all the time) and they are so gentle! When Keithy was her age and all over them, they were fine, and they still are. Not to mention protecting. It all depends on 2 things: breeding and love! How are they raiased? If u raise them to be nice, they will be. Unless they are born from a dog fighting family of dogs or other things like that. If she isnt showing any signs of agression, then she is ok. Although, while she is a puppy and such, NEVER leave her alone with the children, because weird things happen. Let her run around though, otherwise she might get annoyed!
2006-09-25 10:36:45 · answer #3 · answered by No 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This breed is very protective of its family unit (as it was designed to be) so proper socialization is the key to keeping the animal well behaved. However, it is always a good idea to keep the dog on a lead when you have her out in public, as much for her safety as for the safety of those around her.
The kindest dog will bite if provoked.
2006-09-25 10:33:14 · answer #4 · answered by Murph 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why would you difficulty about it transforming into aggressive or unfavourable? sure, they are intense power and likewise have a intense prey stress. they favor to be exercised and experienced clone of the different dogs. without ideal breeding, socialization, practise and workout ANY dogs will be aggressive and unfavourable. once you've done thorough analyze on the breed, have a sturdy understanding of dogs habit/gaining understand-how of regularly, and are prepared to make your ideas as a lot as being concerned for this dogs's needs you'd be in a sturdy position to cope with it really is habit. I somewhat propose reading Jean Donaldson's e book The subculture conflict for a extra ideal understanding of ways dogs study (from their attitude - no longer ours). Too many human beings don't have any clue about the thanks to correct improve and practice a dogs, even although they imagine they are completely able.
2016-11-23 21:16:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very trustworthy companions, but they get the dregs of the bad reputation that pit bulls have.
the greatest danger in allowing her off -lead, is that IF she is attacked by another dog, she will automatically get the blame, as she appears much as a pit bull...It would be grounds for the animals control to put her down in most areas of USA..So, for HER own safety, it would be better to keep her on lead when in public areas..
2006-09-25 10:26:38 · answer #6 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My childhood dog was an English Bulldog, and she was GREAT!Our dog was very child friendly and very protective of our family. She was really smart, too. As for temperament, It all depends on how you raise them, I think. However, they are pretty powerful dogs. I would always keep her on a lead not only for protection of your family and others, but for her protection as well.
2006-09-25 10:27:05 · answer #7 · answered by mommyofmegaboo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My wife and I have an American Pitt bull terrier. He's about a year and a half and he's as gentle as a lamb with us. We don't have kids but the neighbors do, and he loves to play with them. He has never given us any reason to fear or doubt him.
2006-09-25 10:35:19 · answer #8 · answered by scotty w 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Dog is the most trusted on earth.
2006-09-25 10:38:26 · answer #9 · answered by Veer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any dog is a good dog they just get bad names because of bad people that train them badly as long as you do not treat them badly then they will be the best pet in the world
2006-09-25 10:26:47 · answer #10 · answered by crrousey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋